Revisiting the Coen Bothers

A few nights ago I caught a movie that I had been meaning to see for some time. Blood Simple. Made on a shoe-string budget and winner of the Grand Jury's Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 1985 this film garnered applause from critics and audiences alike. In many ways this movie ushered in the independent film genre into the mainstream conscious. Personally, I think the brother tandem of Joel & Ethan Coen may be one of the coolest voices in American cinema. I won't say that I love every one of their films, but I can say I admire each one. Each of their films contain clever dialogue and provides subtle nods towards some of their acknowledged influences. With that in mind I thought I might list a few of their movies and the artists/authors/films that may have provided inspiration.

Blood Simple

Author - James M Cain
Novel - The Postman Always Rings Twice
Film - Detour

I think this film now shows its age a bit, but it is still a fun (yet bloody) look at film noir. This film helped launch the careers of not only the Coens, but their DP Barry Sonnenfeld, actress Frances McDormand, and an uncredited Holly Hunter.

Another interesting note, McDormand and Joel Coen enjoyed the experience so much they decided to get married.


Raising Arizona

Animator - Chuck Jones
Film - Mad Max
Novella - Of Mice And Men

Very different than their first film, this comedy pays homage to some classic zany cartoons and splashes in characters (and names) that have traces from John Steinbeck's story. Made for approx $6 million and grossing around $22 million - this became the Coen's first big hit.





Miller's Crossing

Author - Dashiell Hammett
Film - The Glass Key

The Coens have called this their "Glass Key" remake, and it is very similar. It is interesting that they would want to remake a movie that was hardly a hit - and that very few people (outside of film historians) had ever heard of. This film started the fruitful relationship of the Coens with John Turturro.




Barton Fink

William Faulkner
Biblical Parables

Apparently this film was conceived while the Coens were suffering writer's block as they worked on Miller's Crossing. The character of W.P. Mayhew is based on William Faulkner, whose first Hollywood contract was to write a wrestling movie. This film was the first film to win all three major awards (Palme D'or, Best Director, and Best Actor) at the Cannes Film Festival. Also, it was unanimously chosen for the Palme D'or.

The Hudsucker Proxy

Directors - Frank Capra & Preston Sturges
Films - The Lady Eve & Executive Suite

This is, in my mind, one of the Coen's best films that just got lost in the shuffle. It pretty much flopped at the box office, but it was a clever, well-written nod to the famous screwball comedies of the 30's and 40's. This film is definitely worth a look on DVD.




Fargo
Film/Novel - In Cold Blood , Psycho & The Shining

This is one of the most critically acclaimed film of the Coen's library, winning several Academy awards. Interestingly, Roderick Jaynes (pseudonym of filmmakers the Coens) was nominated for an Academy award - one of the few fictitious characters to receive a nomination.

The influences of Truman Capote's novel can certainly be felt throughout this violent classic.



The Big Lebowski

Author - Raymond Chandler
Novel/Film - The Big Sleep
Film - The Long Goodbye
Choreographer - Busby Berkeley

Hands down my favorite Coen movie. Some of the funniest writing in a film you'll ever hear. Hugely influenced by the Chandler novel - The Big Sleep with a few Berkeley dance numbers thrown in for good measure.
This is one of those movies that gets funnier each time you see it.



O Brother, Where Art Thou

Film - Sullivan's Travels
Musicians - Robert Johnson & Tommy Johnson
Politician - W. Lee (Pappy) O'Daniel
Film - The Wizard Of Oz

Another nod to Preston Sturges. In Sturges film, Sullivan's Travels, the main character wants to make a great film and call it O Brother, Where Art Thou. Of course there is the very obvious influences of the Odyssey - which the Coens claim they never read. There has also been some debate as to which Johnson, the character in the movie is based on, but there is no doubting the influences of the real-life Pappy O'Daniel. Great stuff.


This doesn't cover all of their movies, but it certainly shows that the Coens have a great respect for film history. If this piques your interest at all I recommend checking out the book The Coen Brothers: The Life of the Mind.

Nice to see the Academy award these guys with an Oscar - I believe they have been providing some of the most original work in film for the last decade.